Enric Masip, a close advisor to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, has acknowledged that the club’s handling of Lionel Messi’s shock exit in 2021 “could have been done better.” The departure of the Argentine superstar, who had been with the Catalan giants since the age of 13, sent shockwaves through the football world and left fans reeling.
Messi’s final game for Barcelona, played in an empty Camp Nou due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was a far cry from the emotional farewell that a player of his stature deserved. The club’s all-time leading scorer, who had won a record-breaking six Ballon d’Or awards during his time at the club, was reduced to tears as he confirmed his departure at a news conference.
At the heart of Messi’s exit were the club’s well-documented financial problems, which had been exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite Messi’s willingness to take a significant pay cut to remain at the club, Barcelona ultimately found themselves unable to meet La Liga’s strict salary cap regulations.
In a statement released at the time, the club attributed Messi’s departure to “financial and structural obstacles” put in place by the league, emphasizing that they had done everything in their power to keep the Argentine at the club.
However, Masip’s comments suggest that the situation could have been handled more delicately. “The president said that the club could not be endangered and it is so,” Masip told Spanish newspaper Marca. “Maybe it could have been done better. He left Laporta touched because he was very fond of him.”
Laporta, who had only recently returned for a second stint as Barcelona president, was faced with the unenviable task of navigating the club through a period of financial turmoil. The decision to let Messi leave, while undoubtedly painful, was seen as a necessary evil to ensure the long-term viability of the club.
Messi, for his part, went on to sign for French giants Paris Saint-Germain, where he spent two seasons before making a surprise move to MLS side Inter Miami earlier this year. Despite the change in scenery, the 35-year-old has continued to showcase the breathtaking skills that made him a global icon during his time at Barcelona.
For Barcelona, life after Messi has been a period of transition. The club has struggled to replicate the success of the Messi era, with a series of high-profile signings failing to live up to expectations. However, there have been glimmers of hope, with the emergence of young talents such as Pedri and Ansu Fati offering a glimpse of a brighter future.
Looking ahead, Barcelona have expressed a desire to welcome Messi back to the club in some capacity, whether it be for a tribute match or as the guest of honor at the first game at their revamped Camp Nou stadium. The move would provide a fitting opportunity for the club’s fans to say a proper farewell to a player who gave them so much joy over the years.
In the meantime, Barcelona will be focused on getting their season back on track after a mixed start to the campaign. The club currently sits second in La Liga, trailing arch-rivals Real Madrid by two points, and will be looking to close the gap when they take on Celta Vigo after the international break.
While the wounds of Messi’s departure may still be raw for some Barcelona fans, Masip’s comments serve as a reminder that even the biggest clubs are not immune to the harsh realities of modern football. As the club looks to move forward and build a new identity in the post-Messi era, they will undoubtedly be hoping to avoid a repeat of the events that led to the Argentine’s exit.
